<figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:40%;"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/Konstantin_and_mentors_700x525_6071e9b0e1.jpg"><figcaption>Dr. Konstantin Andreev (middle) and supervisors Dr. Elena Govorkova (left) and Dr. Richard Webby (right).</figcaption></figure>The iDPCC is thrilled to spotlight several CEIRR researchers who earned a poster presentation award at the 4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/news/ceirr-annual-network-meeting-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ANM</a>). Our seventh spotlight of this series is Konstantin Andreev, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research associate in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/search?keyword=Richard%20Webby#searchBar" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Webby Lab</a> at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, part of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital CEIRR (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/sjceirr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SJCEIRR</a>). Andreev earned First Place in the H5/Risk Assessment category for his poster titled “A Disconnect Between In Vitro and In Vivo Activity of Influenza Antivirals Against Severe Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Infections.”Andreev and his colleagues assessed pandemic risks through predicting the effectiveness of FDA-approved antiviral medications against highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) viruses that have the potential for zoonotic spillover. The team evaluated in vivo efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir, cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir acid (baloxavir), nucleoside analogue favipiravir, and M2 ion channel inhibitor amantadine against novel clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. Phenotypic assays showed that currently circulating influenza strains are susceptible to all antivirals at nano- to micromolar concentrations. However, oseltamivir and favipiravir provided limited survival benefits in mice, and amantadine failed to protect from lethality. Baloxavir was the only drug that was able to control severe A(H5N1) infection and protect 80-100% of mice. The discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo results indicate that in vitro&nbsp;assessment of antiviral drugs against emerging influenza clades may not give the full picture, and underscores the importance of animal studies.Andreev told the iDPCC that his “passion lies less in addressing fundamental scientific questions but rather translating knowledge and discoveries into tangible solutions or innovative products that may benefit humanity.” He believes that “Antivirals play a pivotal role in pandemic preparedness and may serve as first-line countermeasures against emerging strains, when vaccines become unavailable.” Additionally,&nbsp;he credited the CEIRR Program for fostering collaborations, stating “the CEIRR Program brings together leading experts in the field, facilitating the exchange of data, globally collected viral samples, and even opportunities for ‘hands-on’ help.” He highlights that the “coordinated effort is essential for staying ahead of such a fast-moving threat.”&nbsp;To learn more about Andreev, the iDPCC asked several insightful questions:1. Who/what inspired you to go into science in general?A. Although most of my family members were musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs, they had a significant influence on my decision to tie myself to the life sciences, and helped shape my investigative mindset.2. What is one thing on your bucket list?A. One of the things on my to-do list is visiting all 195 countries in the world. So far, I barely made it up to 30 and have a lot of space in my passport for more stamps.&nbsp;3. How have your career interests and plans changed over time?&nbsp;A. My closer interaction with virology has started at a pretty late stage, when I transited a long way from molecular biophysics of cellular membranes and biological interfaces. The unique properties of surface-active biomaterials (a.k.a. surfactants) forming a natural barrier in the lung’s alveoli sparked the idea of its structure to be interfered by respiratory pathogens. To validate my hypothesis, I have joined the lab of Robert Lamb (1950-2023), a renowned virologist, at Northwestern University. Among many RNA viruses, influenza appealed to be the most thrilling one with its uniquely segmented genome organization, ecology, and adaptive evolution. So eventually, I moved to St. Jude where Richard Webby runs one of the very few CEIRR centers, likely the best spot to end up for my research goals.&nbsp;4.&nbsp;Do you have advice for other trainees or students wanting to get started in research?A. Same as for anyone making venture investments: start early, be persistent and patient; let your intellectual capital grow steadily without getting discouraged by occasional steeps and declines.&nbsp;5.&nbsp;What technique, skill, or knowledge are you the “go to” person for in your lab?A. I am routinely involved in phenotypic and sequence screening of the viruses we receive from worldwide to ensure they are susceptible to existing antivirals. We have established and optimized a high-throughput assay to assess sensitivity to polymerase inhibitors with a quicker turnaround time.&nbsp;6.&nbsp;Do you have any hobbies or special interests that you'd like to share?A. Outside of the lab, I am a motorcycle rider, a clumsy scuba diver, and wine and oysters connoisseur.&nbsp;

Spotlight

SJCEIRR

Awards

Influenza

Andreev describes his innovative research on antiviral drugs and shares his passion for finding tangible solutions to stop potential influenza pandemics.&nbsp;

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Konstantin Andreev, Postdoctoral Research Associate and H5/Assessment Poster Winner, Leverages Antiviral Drugs in the Fight Against Influenza

<figure class="image image-style-align-right"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/Gagandeep_Lab_400x533_d5df79ba5b.png?updated_at=2025-08-22T14:41:16.895Z"><figcaption>Gagandeep Singh, Ph.D., Associate Scientist in Florian Krammer’s Lab.</figcaption></figure>The iDPCC is thrilled to spotlight several CEIRR researchers who earned a poster presentation award at the <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/news/ceirr-annual-network-meeting-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting</a> (ANM). The final spotlight of this series is Gagandeep Singh, Ph.D., an Associate Scientist in <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/search?keyword=Florian%20Krammer" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Florian Krammer’s</a> lab at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is affiliated with the Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis and Transmission (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/cript" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CRIPT</a>). Singh earned First Place in the Viral Evolution category for his poster titled “Characterization of the Glycoproteins of Novel Fish Influenza B-like Viruses.”“The novelty and unexplored nature of these viruses is what drives me,” says Singh, who studied an uncharacterized phylogenetic cluster of influenza B-like viruses from fish and amphibians. Because so little is known about these viruses, Singh shared that this research is like “embarking on a brand-new adventure.” Singh and his colleagues evaluated the functions of surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) from these understudied viruses, comparing their functions to those from influenza B. They found that each protein behaved differently, with some showing no similarity to influenza B, while others exhibited some or complete similarity. Singh and team also examined the structures of the glycoproteins using cryo-electron microscopy and computational modeling. Singh plans to continue investigating these influenza B-like viruses because, “We don't know a lot about them yet, so it's exciting because every experiment could reveal something significant or unexpected. I'm really motivated by that kind of inquiry and learning.”Singh’s project is a multidisciplinary venture, made possible by the collaborative team who contributed to this work. He noted that the expertise from other labs and access to resources gave him a “better understanding of zoonotic threats, emerging viruses, and how to conduct research with a more collaborative and comprehensive approach.” Singh aims to form further collaborations as he grows as a scientist, stating, “My scientific training has greatly benefitted from the CEIRR Program. It has undoubtedly influenced the way I view my work.”Check out Singh's recent publication on this work in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ady8610" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Science Advances</a>!To learn more about Singh personally, the iDPCC asked several insightful questions:1. Do you have advice for other trainees or students wanting to get started in research?A. Try to get into research early, even if it's just working in a lab. You learn so much more from doing than you do from books, and it also enables you to figure out what kind of science really gets you passionate.2. What is your favorite mundane lab chore?A. Labeling tubes! While most people would find this monotonous, for me it has an oddly satisfying ring to it. It brings a sense of order to chaos. Neat labels, color coded caps, everything in a line. It is, in a sense, giving structure to science.3. What technique, skill, or knowledge are you the “go to” person for in your lab?&nbsp;A. I’m the go-to person in the lab for anything related to serological assays and protein production. Whether it’s running ELISAs or making and purifying viral proteins.

CRIPT

Phylogenetics

In a multi-disciplinary effort, Singh talks about influenza B-like glycoproteins from fish and amphibians and the benefits of collaboration.

Gagandeep Singh, Ph.D., Associate Scientist in Florian Krammer’s Lab.

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Gagandeep Singh, Associate Scientist and ANM Poster Winner, Examines the Glycoproteins of Influenza B-like Viruses

<figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:35%;"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/CRIPT_workshop_embedded_image_f3f3e3b9be.jpg"><figcaption>CEIRR trainees engage in hands-on learning during the inaugural Antigenic Cartography workshop at the NIAID campus.</figcaption></figure>The CEIRR Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis and Transmission (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/cript" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CRIPT</a>) successfully hosted its inaugural Annual Training Workshop from July 9–10, 2025, at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) campus in Rockville, MD.This intensive 1.5-day event was dedicated to Antigenic Cartography, a crucial tool for understanding and visualizing antigenic differences among pathogens.The workshop offered participants a blend of foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in Antigenic Cartography. University of Cambridge Ph.D. student, Antonia Netzl, and Research Associate, Dr. Sam Turner (laboratory of <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/search?keyword=Derek%20Smith" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dr. Derek Smith</a>), led engaging discussions and interactive sessions. Attendees not only deepened their theoretical understanding but also received practical instruction, applying new techniques to their own data with expert support.&nbsp;These experiences equipped participants with valuable insights and skills, further advancing the use of Antigenic Cartography within the CEIRR community.&nbsp;A select group of 25 CEIRR members attended the workshop, creating an intimate environment that encouraged meaningful networking and collaboration. The cohort represented a range of experience levels, including graduate students, staff scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty.&nbsp;Building on the success of this first workshop, CEIRR is committed to continuing its investment in the professional development of its network through future training opportunities.&nbsp;

Meetings

Conferences

CEIRR CRIPT held its first Annual Training Workshop on Antigenic Cartography in July 2025, providing members with hands-on learning and collaboration.

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CRIPT Hosts First Annual Training Workshop on Antigenic Cartography

<figure class="image image-style-align-right"><a href="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/iDPCC+Infobyte+v9.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/i_DPCC_Infobyte_v9_25p_0c79e88430.png?updated_at=2025-08-08T16:05:16.006Z"></a><figcaption>iDPCC Infobyte: major functions of the iDPCC that support the CEIRR Network. To view a full-size PDF version, click the image above.</figcaption></figure>Composed of seven multidisciplinary and collaborative Centers, the CEIRR Network studies the natural history, transmission, and pathogenesis of influenza, and provides an international research infrastructure to address outbreaks of influenza and other emerging respiratory viruses. Six Centers focus on key influenza research areas, while the Influenza Data Processing and Communication Center (<a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/centers/idpcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iDPCC</a>) supports the entire Network through:<ol><li>Data Management and Analytics</li><li>Collaboration and Coordination</li><li>Training and Support</li><li>Communication and Outreach</li></ol>Under the leadership of Dr. Stephan Bour, Ph.D., the iDPCC brings together four collaborating organizations, led by prime contractor Digital Infuzion, to deliver seamless support across the CEIRR Centers. This unified structure ensures each Center receives the data coordination services needed to achieve its research goals.However, the iDPCC wasn’t always part of the program. In the original <a href="https://www.ceirr-network.org/about/the-legacy-of-ceirs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CEIRS</a> initiative (2007–2014), data sharing was a decentralized effort left to individual investigators. “This decentralized approach led to inefficiencies and bottlenecks that limited public data sharing,” recalls Dr. Bour. Recognizing the need for a more centralized solution, the Data Processing and Coordinating Center (DPCC) was established in the second CEIRS cycle (2014–2021), laying the foundation for what has now evolved into today’s iDPCC within CEIRR.<figure class="image image-style-align-left"><img src="https://ceirr-public-website-static-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/Stephan_Bour_cropped_ccc84bad7e.jpg?updated_at=2023-01-17T16:08:32.079Z"><figcaption>Principal Investigator of iDPCC, Stephan Bour, Ph.D., Digital Infuzion</figcaption></figure>Dr. Bour explains that the iDPCC sits “at the intersection of geographically distributed research Centers” and aims to “facilitate data and information dissemination across the Network and the broader scientific community”. The center also provides “a technical platform for data sharing and communication initiatives that encourages cross-Center collaborations.” The iDPCC team has developed over 75 data standard templates to ensure data compatibility across the Network, which can be analyzed in private dashboards before being transferred to public databases upon publication. Since inception of CEIRR, the iDPCC has facilitated the dissemination of nearly half a million individual data records to public databases like the BV-BRC, ImmPort, and GenBank. With collaboration as a central tenant of the program, the iDPCC facilitates knowledge sharing through hosting working group meetings and webinars. When CEIRR investigators and staff need assistance, the iDPCC steps up by responding to Help Desk support tickets and developing training guides for network-specific online tools. The iDPCC team also helps promote the mission and accomplishments of CEIRR through outreach at conferences, posting on social media, and publishing articles and infographics on the CEIRR public website.The iDPCC team continues to evolve and adapt to changing technology, a strength that particularly energizes Dr. Bour: “The most exciting opportunity we’ve discovered is how generative AI can enhance our ability to communicate better, process data faster, and discover novel insights from the data we manage.” When asked about the future of the CEIRR program, Dr. Bour reflected on the remarkable success and productivity of the program’s almost 20-year existence. He noted that CEIRR has “demonstrated its ability to pivot quickly to address emerging infectious disease threats,” which he hopes to see continue in the current program and any future iteration. Dr. Bour ended by adding, “I would love to see an expansion of the surveillance mission while bringing technology to enhance the efficiency of the activities,” highlighting animal and human surveillance as a unique strength of CEIRR.The iDPCC interviewed Dr. Bour to learn more about his experiences:1. How has your career trajectory changed over time?A. My career has significantly changed since I was a Staff Scientist at NIAID. I discovered bioinformatics in the late 1990s during the first human genome sequencing project and never looked back. I then went into computer science with both feet, became a CIO, and finally landed at a biomedical research-focused technology company.2. What technique, skill, or knowledge are you the “go to” person for in your field?A. Data science and data management.3. What is your favorite country to attend a conference… or a vacation?A. France. Always an opportunity to visit family and old friends.4. Are you a morning person or a night person?A. Definitely not a morning person!

iDPCC

Infobyte

Principal Investigator of the iDPCC, Dr. Stephan Bour, discusses the strengths of the Center and its function in supporting data management, coordination, training, and communications for the CEIRR Network.

CEIRR

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